Aussie footballers are highlight-machines, but sometimes these amazing moments don’t show up on the stat sheet. So, in a new segment, resident football-expert Kristin Shaffer counts down the three best goals, moments and performances each week from Matildas and beyond...
THREE BEST PERFORMANCES

3. Claire Polkinghorne
Known for her bruising defense, Polkinghorne, helped secure the shutout for the Houston Dash when they faced the Orlando Pride.
In the match, the Pride was limited to just three shots on frame and much of that was to the 90 minute performance from Polkinghorne.
Not only did she hold her own on defense she even got off one of the Dash’s 12 shots. After looking at the InStat index Polkinghorne was rated as the third best player of the game.
ORL vs HOU - inStat Top Rated
— Chris Henderson (@chris_awk) August 12, 2019
1. Kealia Ohai (HOU)
2. Jane Campbell (HOU)
3. Clare Polkinghorne (HOU)
4. Rachel Daly (HOU)
5. Amber Brooks (HOU)
Bottom Rated (minimum 30 minutes played)
1. Alanna Kennedy (ORL)
2. Julie King (ORL)
3. Joanna Boyles (ORL)
2. Steph Catley
If you watch Catley play you will notice she is wearing a cast on her right hand since she is still healing her broken hand. Despite the injury, Catley is still going in for tackles and even having successful throw-ins.
She is a key player for the Reign who are riddled with injuries, but still fighting for a playoff spot. The Reign’s lone goal of the week was a team buildup goal that had Catley playing the through ball to her teammate who sent the ball into the box for the eventual goal.
Catley is the only Aussie to play in two games this week in the NWSL and play a full 90 minutes in each game.
The Reign need her on the pitch and she has the skill mixed with the stamina to be the player they can rely on.
1.Hayley Raso
Raso was a player who made herself known in both of the Portland Thorns’ games this week. She was all over the pitch terrorizing defenses and getting behind backlines.
The second game had Raso only play 45 minutes, but she was involved with both of the team’s goals and was close to netting a third goal for the Thorns.
Raso is a force to be known when opponents are scouting Portland, the NWSL’s top team
Mid-week mood 🌹 pic.twitter.com/vRy6eiaBBV
— Hayley Raso (@HayleyRaso) August 7, 2019
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